Vehicle body construction

ABSTRACT

A low-profile vehicle body for passenger carrying vehicles particularly suitable for use in transportation systems in major activity centers. The vehicle body includes a base portion with enclosure means cooperating therewith to define a passenger compartment of low-profile for comfortably seating passengers, and in which the passengers can quickly and easily enter and leave the passenger compartment in an upright or standing position. The access opening to the passenger compartment is closed during transit by a movable section having a top portion forming a portion of the roof of the passenger compartment and a pair of side portions depending from the top portion forming at least a portion of the side walls of the passenger compartment.

United'States'Patent' n91 I 1 11 3,759,566 Sobey et al. p 51 Sept. 18,1973 [54] VEHI LE Bony CONSTRUCTION v 3,246,7l2 4 1966 Mackie 180/124 x[75] Inventors; Albert J. Sobey; Norman McQueen; FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS y Rtibel" Larsen, Blomnfield 6 598,633 2/1948 Great Britain296/1 M 519,152 3/1955 ltaly [73] Assignee: Transportation leclrnologyiInc-1 M m Heights Mich- 1,424,500 12/1965 France 296/155 [22] Filed:July 28, 1971 I [21] Appl. No.: 167,016 I Related U.S. Application DataI [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 835,403, May 9, 1969, [57] ABSTRACTPrimaryExaminer-Kenneth l-l. Betts Attorney-Barnard, McGlynn &. Reisingabandoned A low-profile vehicle body for passenger carrying vehiclesparticularly suitable for use in transportation sys- [52.] 9 6 terns inmajor'activity centers. The vehicle body in- 51 I 6 1 0 cludes a baseportion with enclosure means cooperatg 3 7 ing therewith to define apassenger compartmentof low-profile for comfortably seating passengers,and in which the passengers can quickly and easily enter and leave thepassenger compartment in an upright or standing position. The accessopening to the passenger 561 1161611611666 Cited ,1 compartment isclosed during transit by a movable sec- UNITED ATES PATENTS tion havinga top portion forming a portion of the roof 3,467,026 9/1969 Broggie etal 105/341 of the passenger compartment and a pair of side por-3,360,295 12/1967 Reynolds, 296/28 C tions depending from the topportion forming at least 987,123 I 3/1911 Fleischer 105/339 aporti'on ofthe ide walls of the passenger compart- 943,007 l2/l909, Dahlinet al,.[05/339 ment 7 1,074,078 9/1913 Wright 296/l55 2,533,752 12/1950Alamagnyn; ..-296/1 x I sclnim's, 7' Drawing Figures PAIEmEnsEPw m3.759.566

INVENTORS VEHlCLE BODY CONSTRUCTION This application is a continuationof application Ser. No. 835,403 filed May 9, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to the construction of vehicle bodies,and is particularly concerned with vehicles for carrying passengers intransportation systems in centers of major activity for transportingpassengers over planned routes, and wherein the passengers may be seatedcomfortably in the vehicle having a low profile, but wherein thepassengers can stand up to enter and leave the vehicle so as to haveeasy access to the passenger compartment.

A growing need has developed in recent years for transportation systemsin shopping centers, large university campuses, industrial complexes,parks and other centers of major activity for moving individuals orsmall groups of passengers from one point to another over plannedroutes. Such systems may include tracks or guideways which pass underbuildings, through tunnels, and beneath low overheads. When the vehiclesare at loading and unloading terminals or docks, it is desirable for thepassengers to be able to enter and leave the vehicle quickly andconveniently. The vehicle should have omnidirectional capability formaximum efficiency in large volume distribution systems.

Amount types of transportation systems proposed in recent years arethose which include ground effect or air cushion vehicles which aresupported above the surface on a pad or'film of air and are propelled bylinear motors and the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,357,511and 3,385,228.

An object of this invention is therefore to provide a passenger vehiclebody having a low profile for comfortably seating passengers in acompletely enclosed passenger compartment during transit, but whereinthe passengers can enter and leave the vehicle while erect.

Still another object is to provide a vehicle body for passenger carryingvehicles particularly suitable for use in transportation systems whereinthe vehicle can travel over a route extending beneath low overheads,underneath buildings, and through tunnels and the like, and wherein thepassengers can enter and leave the passenger compartment of the vehiclefrom a standing upposition, and wherein the passengers may be seated ina completely enclosed passenger compartment during transit.

Still another object is to provide an air cushion supported vehicle bodyfor use in transportation systems in which the vehicle must pass beneathlow overheads and accordingly must have a low profile during transit andwherein the vehicle has a completely enclosed passenger compartment forcomfortably seating passengers during transit but in which thepassengers can quickly and easily enter and leave the vehicle whilestanding.

In carrying out the foregoing, and other objects, a vehicle bodyaccording to the present invention includes a base portion having ahorizontal floor surface with enclosure means cooperating with the baseportion to define a passenger compartment. The enclosure means includesa pair of movable sections each having a top portion and a pair of sideportions depending therefrom, the movable sections having opposed, inneredges and being movable relative to each other betweena closed positionin which the opposed inner edges are engaged with each other such thatthe top portions define at least a portion of the roof of the passengercompartment and the side portions define at eleast a portion of theopposite side walls of the passenger compartment, and an open positionin which the opposed inner edges of the movable sections are separatedto permit unobstructed ingress and egress to the passenger compartmentbetween the spaced inner edges of the movable sections. a

In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle body includes a baseportion with a horizontal floor surface with air cushion devices mountedon the base portion for supporting the base portion above the surfaceover which the vehicle travels. A pair of axially spaced, complementaryend sections are mounted on each end of the base and project upwardlytherefrom to define end walls of a passenger compartment. Defined oneach side of the base portion between the end section is a track, and apair of movable closure sections each having a top portion and a pair ofside portions depending therefrom are mounted on the vehicle with thelower end of the side portions slidably mounted on the tracks. Theclosure sections are thus movable between a closed position in opposed,end-to-end engagement to cooperate with the end sections and completelyenclose the passengerv compartment, and an open position in which theclosure sections are axially spaced from each other and straddle therespective end sections to provide unobstructed access to the passengercompartment from either side thereof.

In another embodiment, the vehicle body includes a base portion with ahorizontal floor surface and air cushion devices mounted on the baseportion for supporting the base portion above the surface over which thevehicle travels. A pair of complementary, openended shell sections aremounted on the base portion, and each of the shell sections have a topportion, a pair of side portions depending therefrom, and an end portiondepending from the top portion and extending between the side portions.The shell sections are slidably mounted on the base portion in opposedaxial relationship for movement between a closed position in which theedges of the top and side portions surrounding the open ends are inopposed abutting relationship to completely enclose a passengercompartment with the base portion, and an open position in which theopen ends of the shell sections are axially spaced from each other toprovide unobstructed ingress and egress to the passenger compartmentfrom either side of the base.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a vehicle body embodying the iventionwherein the passenger compartment of the vehicle is completely enclosedfor transit;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the passenger compartment openedto provide unobstructed access to the passenger compartment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional detailed view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view taken on line 66 of FIG. 1; and a FIG. 7 is anelevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 5 with the passenger compartmentopened to permit unobstrcucted access to the passenger compartment.

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a vehicle body comprising a base portionhaving a horizontal floor surface 12. Enclosure means designatedcollectively by reference numeral 14 cooperates with the base portion 10to define a passenger compartment with the base portion. Enclosure means14 includes a pair of movable sections 16 and 18 each having a topportion 20 and 22, respectively, which extends across the width of thebase portion 10 substantially overlying the floor surface 12. A pair ofside portions 24 depend from each side of the top portion 20, and a pairof similar side portions 26 depend from the top portion 22 of themovable section 18. The movable sections 16 and 18 have opposed inneredges 28 and 30, respectively, and are movable relative to each otherbetween closed and open positions. As shown in FIG. 1, in the closedposition the opposed inner edges 28 and are engaged with each other suchthat the top portions 20 and 22 define at least a major portion of theroof of the passenger compartment, and the side portions 24 and 26define a major portion of the opposite side walls of the passengercompartment. In the open position as shown in FIG. 2, the opposed inneredges 28 and 30 of the movable sections 16 and 18, respectively, areseparated to permit unobstructed ingress and egress to the passengercompartment between the spaced inner edges 28 and 30 of the movablesections 16 and 18.

The enclosure means 14 of the vehicle body of FIGS. 1 through 4 furtherinclude portions 32 and 34 defining end walls for the passengercompartment. Tracks 36 are defined on each side of the base portionbetween the end walls of the passenger compartment, and each sideportion 24 and 26 of the movable sections 16 and 18 are slidably mountedon one of the tracks 36. A suitable construction for the track 36 isshown in FIG. 3 wherein a longitudinal rail member 38 is formed in theside portion 40 of the base portion 10, the rail 38 projecting laterallyoutwardly from the side portion 40.

Mounted on the lower end of each of the side portions 24 is a carriage42 including a channel having upper and lower horizontal flanges 44 and46, respectively. Angle sections 48 and 50 welded respectively toflanges 44 and 46 support rollers 52 and 54 engageable with the upperand lower sides, respectively, of rail 38 for slidably supporting themovable section 16 on rail 38. An identical carriage 42 is mounted onthe lower ends of the side portions 26 of movable section 18.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, portions 32 and 34 defining theend walls of the passenger compartment are each fixed to and projectupwardly from the base portion. Each of the movable sections 16 and 18straddles the associated body portions 32 and 34 in the open position asshown in FIG. 2 such that the outer surface or edge portion of theassociated body portion is received within the space bounded by theinner surface of the movable section. For example, as shown in FIG. 4,the end section 34 has a top peripheral edge 56 and side peripheraledges 58 which are received within the space bounded by the top portion22 and side portions 26, respectively, of the movable section 18.

The body portion 32 has side wall portions 60 extending from the endwall 62 thereof to define therewith a passenger seat receiving spacedesignated generally by reference numeral 64. Seats 68 are indicated inphantom lines in the space 64. The outer edges 70 of the side wallportions 60 are each inclined downwardly from the upper edge 72 towardthe opposite end wall of the compartment, or toward the right as viewedin FIGS. 1 and 2. Similarly, the body portion 34 has side wall portions74 extending from the end wall 76 thereof to define a passenger seatreceiving space 78. Seats 80 are mounted within the space 78. The outeredges 58 of the side wall portions 74 are also inclined downwardly fromthe upper edge 56 of the end wall 76 toward the opposite end wall 62.

The trailing edges 82 and 84 of the side portions 24 and 26,respectively, are inclined complementally with the outer edges 70 and58, respectively, of the associated side portions 60 and 74 of bodyportions 32 and 34, and the trailing edges 82 and 84 overlie the outeredges 70 and 58 in the closed position of the movable sections as shownin FIG. 1 so that the passenger compartment is completely enclosedduring transit.

The movable sections 16 and 18 may be actuated by any conventional powermeans between their open and closed positions. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustratein phantom lines a suitable actuating mechanism in the form of a pair ofpulleys or sprockets 88 on which is mounted a belt or chain 90. Theupper run of chain 90 is attached by a connector 92 with carriage 42 ofthe section 16 and the lower run of chain 90 is secured by a connector94 with carriage 42 of section 18 such that rotation of the pulleyscauses the sections 6 and 18 to move in opposite directions. One of thepulleys 88 may, of course, be connected with any conventional drivemeans such as an electric motor with limit switches engageable by thecarriages 42 or other structure of the movable sections for turning theelectric motor on and off. Other conventional actuating means such asair cylinders or hydraulic cylinders or the like may be employed foractuating the movable sections 16 and 18 between the positions shown inFIGS; 1 and 2.

With reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the vehiclebody includes a base portion having a horizontal floor surface 112 andenclosure means designated collectively by reference numeral 114cooperating with the base portion 100 to define a passenger compartmenttherewith. The enclosure means 114 includes a pair of movable sections116 and 118 each having top portions 120 and 122, respectively, and apair of side portions 124 and 126, respectively, depending from the topportions. Sections 116 and 118 have opposed inner edges 128 and 130,respectively, and are movable relative to each other between the closedposition shown in FIG. 1 in which the opposed inner edges 128 and are inabutting engagement with each other such that the top portions 120 and122 define the roof of the passenger compartment and overlie the entiresurface of the floor 112, and the side portions 124 and 126 define theside walls of the passenger compartment; and an open position as shownin FIG. 7 in which the opposed inner edges 128 and 130 of sections 116and 118, respectively, are separated to permit unobstructed ingress andegress to the passenger compartment between the spaced inner edges 128and 130.

Enclosure means 114 includes portions defining end walls 132 and 134 forthe passenger compartment which are integral with and extend between theside portions 124, 126 of said movable section. The base portion 100 mayalso include tracks along the sides thereof identical with thosedisclosed in the previous embodiment. Similarly, the embodiment of FIGS.5 through 7 may include conventional power means for actuating themovable sections 116 and 118 between their open and closed positionssuch as is disclosed in connection with FIGS. 1 through 4.

Both embodiments have ground support means in the form of air cushiondevices 96 and 136, respectively, for supporting the base portion abovethe surface over which the vehicle travels.

Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the vehicle body comprisesa base portion having a horizontal floor surface 12 with air cushiondevices 96 for supporting the base portion above a surface with a pairof axially spaced, complementary end .sections 32 and 34 mounted on eachend of the base'and projecting upwardly therefrom and defining the endwalls of a passenger compartment. A track 36 is defined on each side ofbase portion 10 between the end section 32 and 34, and a pair of movableclosure sections 16 and 18 each having a top portion 20, 22 and a pairof side portions 24, 26 depending therefrom with the lower ends of theside portion slidably mounted on the tracks 26 supporting the movablesections for axial movement between the closed position as shown in FIG.1 in opposed endto-end engagement to cooperate with the end sections 32and 34 and completely enclose the passenger compartment, and an openposition in which the closure sections 16 are axially spaced from eachother and straddle the respective end sections 32, 34 to provideunobstructed ingress and egress to the passenger compartment from eitherside thereof.

In FIGS. 5 through 7, the vehicle body includes a base portion 100 witha horizontal floor surface 112 and air cushion devices 136 for supprtingthe base portion above a surface. The enclosure means of the embodimentof FIGS. 5 through 7 includes a pair of open ended shell sections 116and 118. Each of the shell sections have a top portion 120, 122 and apair of side portions 124, 126 depending from the top portion. An endthe base portion. The open position is shown in FIG. 7 g

in which the open ends of the shell sections are axially spaced fromeach other to provide unobstructed ingress and egress to the passengercompartment from either side of the base.

The above-described construction permits passengers to quickly enter andleave the passenger compartment in an erect or standing position whilethe vehicles have a low profile during transit to permit them to travelbeneath low overhead structures with the passengers completely enclosedwithin the passenger com partment during transit.

While specific forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed in the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, itshould be understood that the invention is not limited to the exactconstruction shown but that various alterations in the construction andarrangement of parts is possible without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A vehicle body comprising: a base portion having a horizontal floorsurface; enclosure means cooperating with said base portion to define apassenger compartment therewith; said enclosure means including a pairof identical spaced body portions fixed to and projecting upwardly fromsaid base portion to define the ends of said passenger compartment, anda pair of movable sections; each of said body portions having an endwall and side wall portions extending therefrom to define a passengerseat receiving space; said body portions beding disposed on said baseportion in opposed relationship such that the passenger seat receivingspace of one body portion faces the passenger seat receiving space ofthe other body portion; each of said movable sections having a topportion and a pair of side portions depending therefrom; said movablesections having opposed inner edges and being horizontally slidablymovable relative to each other along said base portion between a closedposition in which said opposed inner edges are engaged with each othersuch that the top portions extend between said body portions to defineat least a portion of the roof of said passengercompartment and the sideportions extend between said body portions to define at least a'portionof the opposite side walls of said passenger compartment, and an openposition in which each of said movable sections straddles one of saidbody portions such that the edge portion of the associated body portionis received within the space bounded by the inner surface of the movablesection and the opposed inner edges of said movable section areseparated to permit unobstructed ingress and egress to said passengercompartment between the spaced inner edges of said movable sections.

2. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 1 further including means defininga trackway on each side of said base portion, each side portion of saidmovable sections being slidably mounted on one of said trackways.

3. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer edges of theside wall portions of each of said body portions are inclined downwardlytoward the opposite body portion.

4. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 3 wherein the trailing edges ofthe side portions of said movable sections are inclined complementallywith the outer edges of the associated side portions of said bodyportions and overlie said outer edges in the closed position of saidmovable sections.

5. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 4 further including power meansfor moving said movable sections between the open and closed positions.

6. A vehicle body comprising: a base portion having a horizontal floorsurface; enclosure means cooperating with said base portion to define apassenger compartment therewith, said enclosure means including a pairof spaced body portions each fixed to and projecting upwardly from saidbase portion todefine the ends of said passenger compartment, andmovable means for opening and closing said passenger compartment; eachof said body portions having an end wall and side wall portionsextending therefrom to define a passenger seat receiving space; saidbody portions being of the same size and configuration and disposed onsaid base portion in opposed relationship with the passenger seatreceiving space of one body portion facing the passenger seat receivingspace of the other body portion; said movable means including top andside portions and being horizontally slidably movable along said baseportion between a closed position in which the top and side portionsenclose the space between the body portions to define at least a portionof the roof and opposite side walls of the passenger compartment, and anopen position in which the space between said body portions is uncoveredto pennit unobstructed ingress and egress to said passenger compartment.

7. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said bodyportions has an end wall and side wall portions extending therefrom todefine a passenger seat receiving space, said body portions beingdisposed on said base portion in opposed relationship such that thepassenger seat receiving space of one body portion faces the passengerseat receiving space of the other body portion.

8. A vehicle body comprising: a base portion having a horizontal floorsurface; a track extending along each side of said base portion; atleast one passenger seat fixedly mounted adjacent each end of said baseportion with the seat at one end facing the seat at the other end andthe space between said seats unobstructed; enclosure means cooperatingwith said base portion to define a passenger compartment therewith whichencloses said seats; said enclosure means including a pair of movablesections; each of said movable sections having a top portion and a pairof integral side portions depending therefrom with the lowr ends of saidportions slidably mounted on respective ones of said tracks; saidmovable sections having opposed inner edges and being movable along saidtracks relative to each other between a closed position in which saidopposed inner edges are engaged with each aother such that the topportions cooperate to define at least a portion of the roof of saidpassenger compartment and said side portions cooperate to define atleast a portion of the opposite side walls of said passengercompartment; said enclosure means further including a pair of endportions cooperating with said top and side portions to define spacedend walls for said passenger compartment, said pair of end portionscomprising a pair of spaced, identical body portions fixed to andprojecting upwardly from said base portion, each of said body portionsbeing straddled by one of the movable sections in the open position ofsaid movable sections,

l l t I

1. A vehicle body comprising: a base portion having a horizontal floorsurface; enclosure means cooperating with said base portion to define apassenger compartment therewith; said enclosure means including a pairof identical spaced body portions fixed to and projecting upwardly fromsaid base portion to define the ends of said passenger compartment, anda pair of movable sections; each of said body portions having an endwall and side wall portions extending therefrom to define a passengerseat receiving space; said body portions beding disposed on said baseportion in opposed relationship such that the passenger seat receivingspace of one body portion faces the passenger seat receiving space ofthe other body portion; each of said movable sections having a topportion and a pair of side portions depending therefrom; said movablesections having opposed inner edges and being horizontally slidablymovable relative to each other along said base portion between a closedposition in which said opposed inner edges are engaged with each othersuch that the top portionS extend between said body portions to defineat least a portion of the roof of said passenger compartment and theside portions extend between said body portions to define at least aportion of the opposite side walls of said passenger compartment, and anopen position in which each of said movable sections straddles one ofsaid body portions such that the edge portion of the associated bodyportion is received within the space bounded by the inner surface of themovable section and the opposed inner edges of said movable section areseparated to permit unobstructed ingress and egress to said passengercompartment between the spaced inner edges of said movable sections. 2.A vehicle body as claimed in claim 1 further including means defining atrackway on each side of said base portion, each side portion of saidmovable sections being slidably mounted on one of said trackways.
 3. Avehicle body as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer edges of the sidewall portions of each of said body portions are inclined downwardlytoward the opposite body portion.
 4. A vehicle body as claimed in claim3 wherein the trailing edges of the side portions of said movablesections are inclined complementally with the outer edges of theassociated side portions of said body portions and overlie said outeredges in the closed position of said movable sections.
 5. A vehicle bodyas claimed in claim 4 further including power means for moving saidmovable sections between the open and closed positions.
 6. A vehiclebody comprising: a base portion having a horizontal floor surface;enclosure means cooperating with said base portion to define a passengercompartment therewith, said enclosure means including a pair of spacedbody portions each fixed to and projecting upwardly from said baseportion to define the ends of said passenger compartment, and movablemeans for opening and closing said passenger compartment; each of saidbody portions having an end wall and side wall portions extendingtherefrom to define a passenger seat receiving space; said body portionsbeing of the same size and configuration and disposed on said baseportion in opposed relationship with the passenger seat receiving spaceof one body portion facing the passenger seat receiving space of theother body portion; said movable means including top and side portionsand being horizontally slidably movable along said base portion betweena closed position in which the top and side portions enclose the spacebetween the body portions to define at least a portion of the roof andopposite side walls of the passenger compartment, and an open positionin which the space between said body portions is uncovered to permitunobstructed ingress and egress to said passenger compartment.
 7. Avehicle body as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said body portionshas an end wall and side wall portions extending therefrom to define apassenger seat receiving space, said body portions being disposed onsaid base portion in opposed relationship such that the passenger seatreceiving space of one body portion faces the passenger seat receivingspace of the other body portion.
 8. A vehicle body comprising: a baseportion having a horizontal floor surface; a track extending along eachside of said base portion; at least one passenger seat fixedly mountedadjacent each end of said base portion with the seat at one end facingthe seat at the other end and the space between said seats unobstructed;enclosure means cooperating with said base portion to define a passengercompartment therewith which encloses said seats; said enclosure meansincluding a pair of movable sections; each of said movable sectionshaving a top portion and a pair of integral side portions dependingtherefrom with the lowr ends of said portions slidably mounted onrespective ones of said tracks; said movable sections having opposedinner edges and being movable along said tracks relative to each otherbetween a closed position in which said opposed inner edgEs are engagedwith each aother such that the top portions cooperate to define at leasta portion of the roof of said passenger compartment and said sideportions cooperate to define at least a portion of the opposite sidewalls of said passenger compartment; said enclosure means furtherincluding a pair of end portions cooperating with said top and sideportions to define spaced end walls for said passenger compartment, saidpair of end portions comprising a pair of spaced, identical bodyportions fixed to and projecting upwardly from said base portion, eachof said body portions being straddled by one of the movable sections inthe open position of said movable sections.